Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

Hey man, check out Rayna Gellert & Susie Goehring...they have a CD called "Starch and Iron" its fiddle and guitar. I think its more Old-time then bluegrass though, amazing though. Rayna is also in the band "Uncle Earl" so look them up as well.

I could give you names of some local bands but you would have to see them live... the best bluegrass bands/players and those who play in the barn for family reunions and weddings. Bluegrass just was not made to be recorded, it does not do it justice.

If you want to play it, find people to jam with. You will learn a lot from very smart people.-A-

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

Bluegrass is just highland music with an American twist. I have long thought that a good highland fiddler would feel right at home on stage with a bluegrass band.

There are many, many, many bluegrass bands. Just go to cdbaby and search on bluegrass. You'll find enough to make your head spin.

My current favorite is Bluegrass Brothers from Roanoke, Virginia. Seldom Scene are terrific. Some old Johnson Mountain Boys. The last two are national/international acts who would have albums available on Amazon or other large music retailer.

Another thing that Bela Fleck of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones helped to get kicked off is called "New Grass". His band New Grass Revival is terrific. I particularly recommend the albums Commonwealth and On The Boulevard. They do very different topics than the usual bluegrass fodder, but still keep the bluegrass sound alive and well.

You may also want to check out bluegrass genre stations on www.pandora.com (a great free internet radio service). It pulls from the entire Amazon stable so you can find some new musicians and sounds that may interest you.

- Zurf

"Forced means you're painting a train blue." - Jets60"If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome!" - Mekidsmom"Don't ever apologize for what you have worked hard for." - Pete BensonOfficial recipient of B chord amnesty.

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

I think Highland, lowland, Irish and English traditions have influenced Old Time and Bluegrass. The BBC did a programme some years ago called "Bringing it all Back Home", looking at the tradition. They produced a double CD with artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Davy Spillane, Elvis Costello, Dolores Keane, Emmylou Harris and the Everly's. ( See http://www.answers.com/topic/bringing-i … k-home-bbc for more detail.)

We have our own Appalachian and Bluegrass Festival every September at the Ulster/American Folk park. I have managed to miss it for the past three years. If you're interested, this year's programme is at

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

Not strictly bluegrass, but a band I am really digging lately is The Waybacks. Call it Americana, Folk, Roots, whatever, the lead, James Nash, has incredible guitar skills. Stand up bass, mando and fiddle - that's bluegrass enough for me.

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

alansheeran wrote:

BTW Zurf, Pandora is now only available to those within the US. I used to have my own bluegrass/ newgrass channels on it, but was denied access because of licensing issues. It is a great site!

I wasn't aware of that limitation. Sorry for mentioning something many of you can't access.

- Zurf

"Forced means you're painting a train blue." - Jets60"If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome!" - Mekidsmom"Don't ever apologize for what you have worked hard for." - Pete BensonOfficial recipient of B chord amnesty.

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

Topdown - You are exactly right about the Waybacks! I did not list them as grassers because they are so versatile. James Nash may well be the the best I have ever seen. Did you by any chance see them do Zep II with John Cowan and company on the Hillside at Merlefest this year? Unbelievable!

Now, lets hear it for the Avett Brothers - the ultimate in versitility! Not as musicians necessarily (although Seth picks a pretty mean Martin dred) but as songwriters and live entertainers. Been following them for years. The most unclassifiable band out there IMO. Apparently Rick Rubin thinks highly of them too. Making NC proud!

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

livebaitman wrote:

Topdown - You are exactly right about the Waybacks! I did not list them as grassers because they are so versatile. James Nash may well be the the best I have ever seen. Did you by any chance see them do Zep II with John Cowan and company on the Hillside at Merlefest this year? Unbelievable!

Now, lets hear it for the Avett Brothers - the ultimate in versitility! Not as musicians necessarily (although Seth picks a pretty mean Martin dred) but as songwriters and live entertainers. Been following them for years. The most unclassifiable band out there IMO. Apparently Rick Rubin thinks highly of them too. Making NC proud!

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

topdown wrote:

livebaitman wrote:

Topdown - You are exactly right about the Waybacks! I did not list them as grassers because they are so versatile. James Nash may well be the the best I have ever seen. Did you by any chance see them do Zep II with John Cowan and company on the Hillside at Merlefest this year? Unbelievable!

Now, lets hear it for the Avett Brothers - the ultimate in versitility! Not as musicians necessarily (although Seth picks a pretty mean Martin dred) but as songwriters and live entertainers. Been following them for years. The most unclassifiable band out there IMO. Apparently Rick Rubin thinks highly of them too. Making NC proud!

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

Zurf, Seldom Scene is one of the headline acts this year, and has been for the last couple if you think you can wander up this way towards the end of February. I can pick my own crew, and volunteers get four day passes in return.

Re: GOOD OLD HO-DOWN!!!

Thanks Jerome, I'll consider it. Seldom Scene's home base is (or was at one time at least) Fredericksburg, Virginia, which is just down the road a piece from me. They play in this area often. I'm hoping to make Florida in February this year, but perhaps a future year could work out for us. I love Pacific Northwest. If I was made of money, Port Townsend WA is one of the places I'd have a residence, a boat, and a captain to maintain and sail her for me while I drink wine, take pictures, and fish from the dinghy. Alas, I am not made of money.

"Forced means you're painting a train blue." - Jets60"If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome!" - Mekidsmom"Don't ever apologize for what you have worked hard for." - Pete BensonOfficial recipient of B chord amnesty.